In a dramatic late twist, referee Fotias awarded Panathinaikos a contentious penalty in injury time, only for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to overrule the decision, maintaining a 1-1 draw between Panathinaikos and AEK in the Novibet match.
Late Drama at the Penalty Spot
The match saw intense competition, ending in a deadlock that was almost broken by a late penalty call. Fotias, the referee, deemed that AEK had committed a handball in the penalty area, awarding Panathinaikos a chance to take the lead. However, the decision was quickly reviewed by the VAR, which ultimately disagreed with the referee's call, leading to the controversial decision being rescinded. This late twist kept the score level at 1-1, leaving both teams with a point each.
The use of VAR in high-stakes matches like this has been a point of contention, as it can lead to decisions that alter the course of the game. In this case, the technology played a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the game's result.